A political storm erupted in Rajasthan after senior BJP leader and former MLA Gyandev Ahuja performed a “purification” ritual at a temple in Alwar, shortly after the visit of Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, who belongs to the Dalit community.
Jully had visited the Ram temple located in Apna Ghar Shalimar, Alwar, to participate in the Ram Navami consecration ceremony. Ahuja objected to his presence, labeling Jully as “anti-Hindutva” and “anti-Sanatan.”
“He should be ashamed. He should cut his nose and dip it in a bowl of water. I wouldn’t use the word ‘boycott’, as it is Lord Shri Ram’s temple, but I will go and [purify] his impure feet which will land there and hands which will touch the idols – I will go there tomorrow and sprinkle Gangajal and pray to Lord Shri Ram. This is my resolve,” Ahuja declared.
The following day, Ahuja visited the temple and carried out the act of sprinkling Gangajal. He justified it by claiming that the ceremony had been marked by “visangati” (discrepancy), as those who “challenged the existence of Lord Ram” were included among the guests. Referring to the Congress leaders, he described them as “sinners and demons.”
“Mandiron ko apavitra mat karo (Don’t desecrate temples). This is a Lord Shri Ram temple at whose feet I have sprinkled Gangajal. Why Gangajal? Because some impure people came,” he remarked. When asked directly about Jully, Ahuja said, “I won’t make my mouth dirty or impure by taking their names, jo bhi honge (whoever that might be).”
Jully condemned the act and pointed out the caste-based undertones behind it. “The statement of senior BJP leader Shri Gyandev Ahuja is indicative of the BJP’s mentality towards Dalits. I had raised the voice of Dalits in the Assembly and talked about running a campaign against untouchability, but the BJP’s mentality is that because I am a Dalit, they are talking about washing the temple with Gangajal if I go to the temple. This is not only an attack on my personal faith but also a statement promoting a crime like untouchability.”
The Congress party announced statewide protests at all district headquarters in response to the incident.
“Does the BJP hate Dalits so much that it cannot even see us performing puja? Do only BJP leaders have the right over God? The Chief Minister (Bhajan Lal Sharma) and the BJP state president (Madan Rathore) should clarify whether they support the statement that temples should be washed with Gangajal when Dalits visit them,” Jully stated.
Jully, a three-time MLA from Alwar Rural, has had a long political career. Elected in 2008, 2018, and 2023, he previously served as Alwar Zila Pramukh (2005–08) and later became Alwar Congress District President. He was appointed as Minister of State in the third Ashok Gehlot cabinet and later promoted to Cabinet Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment, and Jails in 2021.
Ahuja, with long-standing ties to the RSS, also served as MLA three times from the Ramgarh constituency, his last term being in 2013.
Reacting strongly, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Ahuja’s actions reflect deep-rooted discrimination within BJP ranks. “Such narrow-mindedness is not acceptable in a civilised society in the 21st century. It cannot be condemned enough. Does the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and the state president of BJP agree with this behaviour of their senior leader? Will BJP take action against its leader for this disgusting act?”
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra also lashed out, saying, “The heart of BJP is filled with ill-will, hatred, and jealousy towards Dalits… The insulting statement and disgusting act of former BJP MLA Gyandev towards Tika Ram Jully ji is highly condemnable. Be it a Dalit, a farmer, a woman, a labourer… why does the BJP hate them so much?”
While the remarks caused widespread backlash, the BJP attempted to disassociate itself from Ahuja’s comments. “BJP doesn’t believe in such things. Ahuja himself is responsible for what he has said,” stated party spokesperson Laxmikant Bhardwaj.
